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Ch 11

Articles (advanced)

Generic patterns · fixed phrases · headlines

Articles at C1 — fine distinctions

At C1 you handle the most subtle article patterns: abstract nouns with and without "the", generic plurals, and idiomatic fixed phrases.

Abstract noun (general)
Honesty is the best policy. (general concept, no article)
Abstract noun (specific)
The honesty she showed was remarkable. (this specific honesty)
Body of knowledge
Economics is fascinating. (no article with field of study)

The with abstract nouns when specified

No article (general)
Beauty lies within.
Time heals all wounds.
Knowledge is power.
+ the (when defined)
The beauty of this place stays with you.
The time we spent together was wonderful.
The knowledge she has acquired is impressive.

Generic reference: three patterns

Plural noun (most common)
Dogs are loyal animals.
A/an + singular (any one)
A dog is a loyal animal.
The + singular (the species)
The dog is descended from the wolf. (academic/scientific)
All three express "dogs in general" but with different shades: plural is neutral, a/an highlights one example, the + singular is the scholarly/scientific style.

Fixed phrases without articles

Idiomatic — must be memorised

at + place/time
at school, at work, at home, at night, at noon, at sunset
by + means
by car, by hand, by chance, by accident, by heart, by mistake
in/out + state
in trouble, in love, in danger, out of work, out of breath
on + activity
on foot, on holiday, on purpose, on TV, on duty
Idioms
hand in hand, day by day, face to face, side by side

Articles in headlines and lists

Headlines drop articles
PM resigns after scandal. (= The PM resigns)
News telegraph style
Man bites dog. (compressed — full: The man bit a dog)
Bulleted lists
"Tools needed:" — saw, hammer, drill (no articles in list form)
Recipes / instructions
Add salt and pepper. Stir until smooth. (often dropped)

Common mistakes

The life is unpredictable.
→
Life is unpredictable.
abstract general → no article
I learned the economics at university.
→
I learned economics at university.
field of study → no article
She went home by the foot.
→
She went home on foot.
fixed phrase — no article
I know it by the heart.
→
I know it by heart.
fixed phrase — no article

Your turn

Answer out loud — full sentences

Watch every article.

1
Which is more important to you: honesty or loyalty? Why?
2
Describe the music of a country you know. How is it different?
3
Name three things you know by heart, and two things you did by mistake.
4
Is the dog really man's best friend? Argue for or against.

Recap

Abstract
general → no article · specified → the
Beauty is / The beauty of this place
Generic
3 patterns: dogs / a dog / the dog
scientific = the + singular
Fixed phrases
no article: at work, on foot, by heart
memorise — no rule
Headlines
articles dropped
PM resigns / Man bites dog
Practice now →